Kitchensurfing plays matchmaker for chefs, diners

Imagine a matchmaker brokering deals between diners and qualified chefs.

Kitchensurfing, a New York-based company, launched July 8 in Chicago with a stable of 50 chefs ranging in experience from amateurs to professionals, all ready to cook for diners. Users plug in relevant details including the date of the event, number of people and price they're willing to pay, and the request gets dispatched to chefs who can respond with a suggested menu.

“It's a social market for people that love food and people that love to cook,” said Chris Muscarella, Kitchensurfing's CEO.

There's no registration fee for diners or chefs, but the company does take a 10 percent cut from each catering job.

Mr. Muscarella started Kitchensurfing last year in New York and has since rolled it out to Boston, Berlin and the Hamptons. The Chicago venture is backed in part by Ken Pelletier, former chief technology officer at Groupon Inc.

Seychelle Lapuz, who works at caterer Paramount Events in Chicago, said she joined Kitchensurfing's chef roster because it enables her to be creative and design her own menu.

Hiran Patel, executive chef of the now-shuttered Veerasway, said Kitchensurfing allows him to test recipes for Gonu, the Indian restaurant he hopes to open this year.

Mr. Patel has catered several lunches so far through Kitchensurfing and recently received a request to cook a meal for seven people for a total of $700.

“It's a much easier way to get your name out there,” he said.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that Suzy Crofton is no longer a participating Kitchensurfing chef.